| Hypericin[1] | |
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1,3,4,6,8,13-hexahydroxy-10,11-dimethylphenanthro[1,10,9,8-opqra]perylene-7,14-dione |
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Other names
4,5,7,4',5',7'-Hexahydroxy-2,2'-dimethylnaphthodianthrone |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 548-04-9 |
| PubChem | 5281051 |
| ChemSpider | 4444511 |
| UNII | 7V2F1075HD |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:5835 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL286494 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C30H16O8 |
| Molar mass | 504.44 g mol−1 |
| Appearance | Blue-black solid |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
Hypericin is a naphthodianthrone, a red-colored anthraquinone-derivative, which, together with hyperforin, is one of the principal active constituents of Hypericum (Saint John's wort).[2] Hypericin is believed to act as an antibiotic and non-specific kinase inhibitor. Hypericin may inhibit the action of the enzyme dopamine β-hydroxylase, leading to increased dopamine levels, although thus possibly decreasing norepinephrine and epinephrine.
The crude extract of Hypericum is a weak inhibitor of MAO-A and MAO-B. Isolated hypericin does not display this activity, but does have some affinity for NMDA receptors. This points in the direction that other constituents are responsible for the MAOI effect.
The large chromophore system in the molecule means that it can cause photosensitivity when ingested beyond threshold amounts. Photosensitivity is often seen in animals that have been allowed to graze on St. John's Wort. Because hypericin accumulates preferentially in cancerous tissues, it is also used as an indicator of cancerous cells. In addition, hypericin is under research as an agent in photodynamic therapy, whereby a biochemical is absorbed by an organism to be later activated with spectrum-specific light from specialized lamps or laser sources, for therapeutic purposes.
Hypericin derives from polyketides cyclisation.[3][4]